Automatic reefing boom



June 26, 1928. W 1,675,081

c. ANDRADE. JR

AUTOMAT LC KEEPING BOOM Filed April 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l W Fig. 15 Pia-W P42 "1N VENTOR June 26, 1928.

C. ANDRADE. JR

AUTOMATIC REEFING BOOM Filed April 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented June 26, 1928.

UNI-TED STATES CIPRIANO ANDRADE, m, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIEC REEFING BOOM.

Application filed April 11, 1927. Serial No. 182,563.

My invention relates to an automatic reefing boom adapted to either reef or furl a sail on a boat automatically. A I

I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a side View of my device on a sail boat; Fig. 2 is an end View of the rotatable holder Fig. 3 is a sectional side in view at the mast end of a portion of. my

automatic reefing boom with its various connected elements; Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the outer end of a-portion ofmy automatic reefing boom with its various con 15 nected elements; Fig. 5 is a sectional side View of a portion of my outer element. P, with the lengthwise coiled circular spring A and the inside element P? shown in circumferential form; Fig. 6 is an out-er end view of the connecting element P; Fig. 7"is a side View of said connectinge-lement P; Fig. 8 is an outer end view of the holder P Fig. 9 is a side View of said holder P; Fig. 10 is an end view of the intermediate element P Fig. ll'is a side View of the gooseneck holder V Fig. 12 is an end View v of said gooseneck holder V and Fig. 13 is a sectional side view of a portion of my automatic i'eefing'boom in alternate construction. Similar letters and numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

M is the load waterline; N is the hull; O is the mast; P is'the outer element of the automatic reefing boom; Q. are the outer surthe outersurfaces of the mainsail vB:w hen partially reefed; QP are t'he outer surfaces of the mainsail B when further partially reefed; Z is the centre of effort of the main sail B in Q position; Z is the'centreof effort of the mainsail Bin Q} position; Z is the centre of effort ofthe mainsail Bin Q position; R is the mainsheet; Sis the boom lift;

the gooseneck; is the rotatable holder against the outer end of the automatic reefing boom to hold boom lift S and mainsheet R in the same position whether the outerele- T is the. fore-stay; U isthe sail halyard;fV'is equivalent means, said element P is rotatable with relation to rotatable holder W; P is the end of circular element P P is the outer surface of P and P being rotatable with relation to rotatable holder W; l? is a first intermediate element rigidly attached I to outer element P, said first intermediate element P being freely rotatable over the inside element P; A is a lengthwise coiled circular spring, one end of which 1s ,rigidly attached to the end surface P of said first diate element rigidly attached to the inner surface of outer element P, said third inter mediate element P being freely rotatable over the outer surface of inside element P" said third intormedlate element P? being in free slde rotatable :contact with said sec- 0nd intermediate elementP P is a fourth intermediate element rigidly attached to in-- side elementP, said fourth intermediate element Pfallowing free rotation of outer element F, said fourth intermediate element P being infreeside contact with said third intermediate element P P is a connecting element rigidly attached to inside element P P is a part of connecting element riiP hghaving a circular hole P and having faces'of the mainsail B when full set; Q} are fi at end surfaces P and P and flat top surface P P is a holder which can move freely into the holes P inintermedlate elenentsP, P and P P is a part of holder P ".-said P being adapted to dropagainst flat-end surface P when said'holder P 9 is entirely inside of all three holes P .inintermediate elements P", P and P ,'and said P being also adapted to drop against flat end surface. P when said holder 1 is only the one hole P in intermediate element P only; P is the hole in intermediate elements P, P and P said hole P being on the outer surface of inside'element P;

partlypulled out, so that it is inside of i V is the inside round hole in gooseneck V to hold tightly over mast O V is the gooseneclr. holder with a lower round part "V "which is rotatablesideways in ooseneck V;

V is a hole-m V to hold a. fir siin ilar means to prevent V from lifting up out of goo'seneck V; V is the upper portion of V adapted to hold element P therein;- V is a circular hole in V in alignment with circular hole P of element P, whereby a bolt or any similar means will hold element P inside of element V and will permit connecting element P to move up or down radially from the centre of P P 'is an alternate form of my first intermediate element P rigidly attached to outer element P; P is a preferably flat sided end element of P rigidly fitted into wooden boom section P and adapted to hold said section P irom rotating with relation to outer element P. Said element F is of course not absolutely essential, as bolts or other similar devices could fasten wooden boom section P direct to outer element F.

It will be noted that preferably the inner surface of outer element P is circular; and that preferably the outer surface of inside element F is circular; and that preferabl the intermediate elements P, P, P and I are circular, although they could function even if not circular.

It will also be noted that elements P, P,

P, P, P", P or P are preferably of metal,

although they could function even if made of Wood or other substances. In the form shown in Fig. 13 the elements P, P with its end element F would referably. be made of metal, with the element F preferably of Wood, although as stated these varions elements could be made of other sub stances; It willalso be understood that preferably the lengthwise coiled circular spring A will he only a fraction of the length of the entire automatic reefing boom, and therefore the {one of constructlon shown in Fig. will be perhaps preferable to an outer element P made the iull length of the automatic reefing boom, and when this is done, the rotatable holder V can be so arranged on the outer end of P of the automatic reefing that said rotatable holder W will function as hereinhefore stated.

The operation of my device is as follows:

As the intermediate element P? is rigidly attached to the outer element P, and'a's the intermediate elements P and? are rigidly attached to inside element P", and as the connecting element P? is also rigidly attached to inside element P, and as the connecting element P? is fastened by a bolt or any-similar means to the goose-neck holder V, it will be" noted that both the inside element P and the outer element F are always held in endwise position in relation to eachothenar id cannot move either away from or toward the gooseneck V or the mast o; and also a will be noted that by means of the lower round part V the outer element'P can move either way sidewise radially from the centre of said lower round part V elementl. In order to I as just stated, it wil be noted that the element P thereof must be turned around holes V and P the outer element P can move either up or down radially from the centre of said circular holes V and P which allows the automatic rooting boom the normal motion of any standard boom in any sailboat. It will also be noted that as the inside element]? is rigidly attached to the connecting element P said inside element P" can never move circumferentially; and as intermediate elements P and P are rigidly attached to ins deelemen't P said intermediate elements P and P can never move circumfcrentially. And as intermediate 'elemerits P and: P are rigidly attached to outer element P, but are not rigidly attached to circular inside element I it will be noted that outer element P can rotate freely in relation toinside element P, except when holder P is put into the hole P in intermediate element P as shown in Fig. 3 hereof. And. as the lengthwise coiled circular spring A is rigidly attached at one end to end surfaceP" of intermediate element P, and as theflother end of said lengthwise coiled circular spring A is rigidly attached to the end surface P -ofintermediate element P, it will lie-noted that said lengthwise coiled circular spring A will control the rotatiye motion of outer elementP with relation to inside elemntQP when the holder 1" is; ulled out by hand or otherwise, so as to c ear the hole" P?" in intermediate nll out said holder upward into the top position as shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9 hereof, so that said element P can more" over the flat top surface P" of element 1 and when holder P is thus pulled out from hole P of intermediate element P but is left in hole P tel intermediate element P and is released, the element I thereof will drop down circumfe'rentially' against the flat end surface P of element P, which will make it impossible or holder P to-get back into hole P? in intermediate element F, until said element P is turned around upward into the top position as'slxjown in Figs. 8 and 9 hereof. And when the rotative motion of outer ele ment P Withrelatiofl to inside element P is desired to he stopped, the element P of holder P as just stated can be turned around upward into the top position as shownin Figs. 8 and 9 hereof, and holder P can then he pushed into' holes P of intermediate elements P and P as shown in Fig; 3 hereof and when said element P is then released, said element P will drop down cir'cinnferentially against the flat end surface P" of element P, which Will make it impossible for holder P to move out from holes P in intermediate elements P P or P", until sai'delement P is turned around automatic reefing boom.

upward into the top position as shown in Fig. 3 hereof.

Let us now assume that the mainsa-il B is fullset as shown in Fig. 1 hereof, and that it is desired to reef it down to the position Q The first thing to; do is to pull holder P out of holes P in intermediate elements P and P and then to let element element P should be dropped down against the fiat end surface P of element P, then halyard U should be made fast, whereupon the reefing is entirelycompleted'.

If it is then desired to furl the 'mainsail B, holder P should be pulled out of holes P in intermediate elements P and P and element P should be dropped down against the flat end surface P of element 1 Then sail halyard U'should be let go, whereupon the lengthwise coiled circular spring A will cause-outer element P to wind the entire mainsail B around the outer surface of the Then holder P should be pushed back into holes P 'in inter,- mediate elements P and T", and halyard U should be made fast, whereupon the furling is entirely completec.

In order to raise the sail B, all that is necessary' to do is to pull holder P out, until eithelengthwisecoiled circular spring A ceases to act on outer element P;'which relieves the sail B and the halyard U from any abnormal downward pulling pressure,

and which also prevents the sail B from being able to rotate the automatic reefing boom when a. heavy wind strikes the sail B.

Boomlift S will always hold the automatic reefingboom in thesame position as shown in 1, and willthus prevent the after endat the inner end ment P L- boom in the relative of said automaticreefing boom from drop ping down when sail halyard U is -unloosened. As stated, rotatable holder W is so fitted to the after end of the automatic reefing boom that said automatic reefing boom can rotate freely with relation to said rotatable holder lV, while said rotatable holder W can remain without any rotation.

' The advalntagewof the form of mainsa-il B free from the mast O as shownin Fig. .1 hereof, is that it willnot put the mainsail centre of effort Z too far forward at any time. It will thuspermit the mainsail B to keep its centre of effort Z practically in the same foreand aft position whet-herthe mainsail B is in full area or reefedfor heavy weather, as shown in Q or Q of Fig. 1 hereof.

It'will of course be understood that the exact relation ofthe parts hereinbefore cleseribed can be modified by mechanlcal equivalents thereof, without changing the essential elements of my invention. For example similar results could be obtained by making the intermediate elements P and P rigidly attached to inside element P, and freely rotatable inside the outer'element P; and by making the intermediate elements P and P rigidly attached to outer element P, and freely rotatableover the inside element P. v

It will also" be understood that the fourth intermediate element P could be made integral with connecting element F, in which case the'en'd' of inside element P would stop V of said intermediateele It will also be understood that, if desired, the holderP could be-removed not only from holes P of intermediate elements P and'P but also fromhole P of intermedi ate elementP g which will be understood in V the specification and all the claims hereof. it is clear of holes P of intermediate ele- It will be noted that my automatic reefing boom can be usedfor a jib, a foresail, a mainsail, a mizzen sail, atopsail or any other known form of sail, or whether said sail is of the marconi type as shown in Fig. 1'

hereof, or whether said sail has a gaff. And if desired, the forward-edge of the sail could be fastened to the mast or to the forestay by a movable line or any similar means which would permit the sail to wind around the outer surface of the automatic reefing positions shown in Fig. 1 hereof or otherwise.

I claim: 7 1. In an automatic reefing boom; an inside-element held in nonrotatable position;

an outer element; a first'intermediate element rigidly attached to the inner surface of said outer element, said first intermediate element being freely rotatable over the outer surface'of said inside element; a second intel-mediate elementrigidly attached to the outer surface. of saicliinside element, said second intermediate element allowing free rotation of said outer element; a lengthwise coiled circular spring, one end of said length- Wise coiled circular spring being attached rigidly to said first intermediate element,

and the other end of said lengthwise coiled circular spring being attached rigidly to said second intermediate element; a third intermediate element rigidly attached to the inner surface of said outer element, said third intermediate element being freely ro tatable over the outer surface of said inside element said third intermediate element be ing in free si'dc rotatable contactwyith said second intermediate element; a fourth interclement; an outer element; a connecting element rigidly attached to said inside element, and adapted to hold saidinside element in nonrotatable position, said connecting elcment having a flat end surface and alsoLan opposite flat end surface and also a flat top surface; an intermediate element rigidly attached to the outer surfa'ce; of said inside element, said intermediateelement allowing free rotation of saidouter element; an in termediate element rigidly attached to the inner surface of said outer element, said intermediate element being rotatable over the outer surface of said inside element; holes axially alignable with each other in said two intermediate elements; and a holder adapted to enter into said holes in said two intermediate elements, or to be removedfrom said hole in one or both of said intermediate elements, said holder having a part adapted to drop endwise against the flat end surface of said connecting element, said part of said holder being also adapted to drop endnise against the opposite flat end surfaceof said connecting element, said part of said holder being also adapted to move cndwise over the flat top surface of said connecting element.

3. In an'automalic reeling boom; an inside element; an outer element; a connectingelement rigidly attached to said inside element, and adapted to hold said inside elementin nonrotata ble position,sa'id connecting element having a flat end surface and also an opposite flat end surface and also a flat top surface; three intermediaterelements adapted to permit said outer element to rotexts in relation to'sald inside element, said three intermediate elements being also adapted to prevent said outer element to move endwise in either direction in relation to said inside element; holes axially alignable with each other in each of said three intermediate elements; and a holder adapted holder being a so adapted to drop endwise.

against the opposite flat end surface of said connectingeleme'nt, said part of said holder being also adapted to move endwise over the flat top surface of said connecting element.

t. In an automatic roofing boom; an inside clement; an outer element; a connecting element rigidly attached to said inside element, and adapted to hold said inside element in non-rotatable position, said connecting element having a flat end surface and also an opposite flat end surface and also a flat top surface; a first intermediate element rigidly attached to the inner surface of said outer element, said first intermediate element being freely rotatable overth'e outer surface of said inside element; a second intermediate element rigidly attached to the outer surface of said inside element, said second intermediate elementallowing'free rotation of said outer element; a le'ngthwisecoiled circularspring, one end of said lengthwise coiled circular spring being attached rigidly to said first intermediate element. and the other end of said lengthwisecoiled circular spring being attached rigidly to said second intermediate element; a third intermediate element rigidly attached to the inner surface of said outer element, said third intermediate element being freely rotatable over the outer surface of said inside element, said third intermediate element being in free side rotatable contact with said second intermediate element; a fourth intermediate elementrigidly attached to the outer surface of said inside element, said fourth intermediate element allowing free; rotation of 7 said outer element; said fourth intermediate 1 element.

said connecting element, said part of said holder being also adapted to drop endwise against the opposite-flat end surface of said connecting element, said part of said round holder being also adapted to move endwise over the fiat top surface of said connecting 5. In an automatic reefing boom; an inside element; an outer element; three intermediate elements adapted to permit said outer element to: rotate in relation to said inside'element, said three intermediate ele ments being also adapted to l prevent said outer element to niove endwise in either direction in relation to said inside element; holes axially alignable with each other in each of said three intermediate elements; and a holder adapted to enter into said holes in said three intermediate elements whereby said outer element will'be unable to rotate in relation to said inside element, said holder being also adapted to be removed from two of said holes whereby said outer element will be able to rotate in relation to said inside element.

6. In an automatic reefing boom; an in side element; an outer element; a spring coiled endwise and circumferentially rotatable adapted to rotate saidouter element in relation to said inside element; and means,

whereby said outer element can become nonrotatable both forward and reverse in relation to said inside element and whereby said outer element can also become freely rotatable either forward or rever'sein relation to said inside element.

7. In an automat c reefing boom; an 1nslde element; an outerelement; and a spring coiled endwise and circumferentially rotat able adapted to rotate said outer element; said automatic reeiing boom having one end held in position whereby said one end cannot move either up or down or sideways, and the other end of said automatic reeting boom being able to move sideways and up and down. V

8. In an automatic reeling boom; an inside element; an outer-element; and a spring coiled endwise and circumferentially rotatable adapted to rotate said outer element; said automatic reeiing boom being attached to a sail, one end of said automatic reeiing boom being attached to a mast and the other end of said automatic reeiing boom being able to move sideways and up and down.

9. In an automatic resting boom; .an in side element; an outer element; a spring placed between said inside element and said outer element said spring being adapted to rotate said outer element in relation to said inside element; and means, whereby said outer element CttIllJGCOlIlG nonrotatable both forward and reverse in relation to said inside element, and whereby said outer-element can also become freely rotatableeither forward or reverse in relation to said inside element.

CIPRIANO ANDRADE, JR. 

